Celebrating 5 Years of Flavor: Little Spice Jar’s Culinary Journey, Key Lessons, and a Special Giveaway

Little Spice Jar turns 5! A heartfelt celebration of a vibrant culinary community.

Exactly five years ago today, a small but significant step was taken: I pressed the publish button on the very first recipe post shared here on Little Spice Jar. What began as a personal outlet has blossomed into a thriving community, and looking back, it’s truly remarkable how much this journey has evolved. This anniversary isn’t just a milestone for the blog; it’s a celebration of passion, persistence, and the incredible support from all of you.

For me, starting this food blog was a transformative way to infuse purpose into my days after making the pivotal decision to step away from a career in the healthcare industry. My initial job right out of college, though stable, quickly revealed its monotonous nature. Within a few months, it became clear that this path wasn’t aligned with my long-term aspirations. Even during my final undergraduate years, my desire to work intimately with food grew increasingly apparent. While my degree in Human Nutrition and Foods largely focused on clinical nutrition, it was the invaluable food science and hotel and restaurant management classes within my curriculum that ignited the true sparks of my culinary passion – sparks that my day job simply couldn’t fuel.

This burgeoning passion meant that even after long workdays and throughout the weekends, I found immense joy in creating delicious treats to share with family and friends. My coworkers would often playfully remark that I’d be baking and cooking at work if I could, and honestly, they weren’t far off! After three years of this dichotomy, I summoned the courage to make the leap, leaving behind the conventional career path to pursue something truly fulfilling.

Little Spice Jar initially began as a much-needed creative outlet. I sought an engaging endeavor while I meticulously planned my next professional steps. Simultaneously, family and friends frequently requested recipes for dishes I had prepared and shared with them. This consistent demand sparked an idea: why not use my spare time to systematically organize my collection of homemade recipes online? Armed with an old DSLR camera, purchased prior to our honeymoon, I began documenting my creations. My early photos were taken in our two-window apartment, which only received a few hours of sunlight daily – a challenging but rewarding start. Immediately, I recognized that running around my kitchen in the middle of the day (often still in my pajamas), experimenting with flavors and techniques, brought me infinitely more satisfaction than working towards a career that, while secure, simply didn’t resonate with my spirit.

I gave myself a pragmatic deadline: one year. My commitment was to consistently blog three times a week for that entire year. If I could sustain that pace and passion, I vowed to find a legitimate way to integrate food into every aspect of my life. Candidly, I envisioned myself heading back to culinary school. I desperately needed validation that this pursuit was worth the substantial student loan I’d need to undertake in my mid-twenties. The idea of transforming a hobby into a career felt audacious.

Never in my wildest dreams, as I sat at my breakfast table (which then served as my makeshift office), did I imagine that one day I would be sharing my beloved recipes with all of you as my full-time profession. The reality of this journey fills me with an overwhelming sense of humility and profound gratitude that circumstances unfolded in such a wonderfully unexpected way!

5 Essential Lessons Learned from Five Years of Food Blogging

1. Do it for the Right Reasons: Passion Over Profit. This principle stands as the cornerstone of my blogging philosophy. Do not embark on this journey with the sole expectation of easy money – I assure you, it is anything but! Like any demanding profession, if your aspiration is for your blog to become a full-time endeavor, it will require an immense investment of your time, energy, and unwavering dedication. Furthermore, pursuing blogging for the wrong motivations significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing burnout. True fulfillment and longevity in this field stem from genuine desire and deep-seated passion. Cultivate your blog because you love creating, sharing, and connecting, not for superficial gains.
2. Don’t Compare Your Success to Others: Embrace Your Unique Path. This is arguably one of the most challenging aspects of navigating the highly connected digital landscape. We are constantly exposed to curated and often heavily filtered snapshots of others’ lives and successes on platforms like Instagram, which can distort our perception of reality. There have been countless moments when, feeling disheartened by a recipe gone awry (like a batch of chocolate chip cookies refusing to cooperate), I’d turn to my husband and lament, “Why do I even bother? So-and-so has been blogging for only [a minimal amount of time] and already has so many more followers than me.” What I can tell you unequivocally is this: genuine, lasting success is the reward for persistent hard work and patience. There will always be someone who captures more stunning photographs, possesses a more engaging online voice, or boasts a larger audience. Everyone’s ‘big break’ unfolds at a different pace and in their own unique way. Your mission is to consistently produce high-quality, authentic content and steadfastly continue on your path until your moment arrives.
3. Be Kind to Yourself and Prioritize Self-Care: The Importance of Taking Breaks. The internet operates 24/7, making the act of writing and sharing recipes a round-the-clock commitment. There’s an endless stream of emails to answer, comments requesting assistance, and new blog posts awaiting completion. It is absolutely vital to recognize the signs of ‘blogger burnout’ and step away when needed. Allow yourself a day, two, or even a full week to reset and regroup. During these breaks, reconnect with your initial motivations for blogging and re-evaluate your long-term goals. In my early days, missing a post would lead to hours of self-reproach. Now, I understand that I cannot consistently produce my best content if I am mentally or physically depleted. I cherish returning refreshed and recharged, particularly after a restorative vacation – at that point, I’m practically itching to get back into the kitchen and create!
4. Think Outside the Box: Originality Sells. When I first embarked on my blogging journey, I often created my own versions of already popular and well-known recipes, such as a traditional green bean casserole or a basic beef stew. However, I soon discovered a profound truth: readers genuinely crave original, inventive ideas! Would you believe that my most widely loved and visited recipes on the blog are precisely those that I initially doubted would gain any traction? Rustic Chicken Piccata Meatballs, Tomato Baked Chicken, and Crazy Good Quick Garlic Noodles are just a few prime examples. These unique creations resonate because they offer something fresh and unexpected.
5. Don’t Get Too Comfortable: Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability. This lesson is particularly salient concerning the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms. Remember when Snapchat was the hottest thing? Now, it’s shifted. Instagram’s algorithm changes frequently, impacting reach and visibility. Facebook consistently updates its policies, requiring clear labeling of sponsored content. The rules governing these platforms can transform at a moment’s notice. It reminds me of the moving staircase at Hogwarts, a playful analogy for my fellow Harry Potter fanatics – the environment is constantly shifting, demanding vigilance and flexibility. As bloggers, we are often pioneers in this digital frontier, and the internet is a fast-paced, perpetually evolving entity. To thrive, we must remain open to learning, adapting, and innovating.

5 Frequently Asked Questions from Our Community

1. How do you capture your beautiful food photographs? My photography approach is quite deliberate and consistent. I exclusively utilize natural light, which is filtered through a sheer curtain from a south-facing window located in the upstairs loft of my home. This setup provides soft, diffused illumination that enhances the food’s appeal. Most of my photographs are taken against either a clean white or a subtle gray background. My unwavering goal is always to ensure that the delicious food itself remains the undeniable star of every shot, allowing its textures and colors to truly shine.
2. Where do you find inspiration for your diverse range of recipes? Inspiration for new recipes truly is everywhere! Sometimes, I develop dishes based on current food trends that catch my eye, or by focusing on fresh, seasonal produce available at local markets. Magazines often serve as a fantastic source of ideas, sparking new creative directions. Other times, inspiration strikes while eating out at restaurants, discovering exciting flavor combinations. Listening to friends or family describe new recipes they’ve tried can also ignite a spark. And often, it’s simply about finding innovative and delicious new ways to prepare and elevate foods I already deeply love, transforming familiar ingredients into something extraordinary.
3. What are your favorite places for grocery shopping to source ingredients? I must confess, I tend to grocery shop far more frequently than strictly necessary – sometimes a handful of times in a good week! However, my absolute favorite destination is my local Sprouts Farmers Market store. They consistently offer the freshest, highest-quality produce, and I’m a complete sucker for that vibrant selection. My second top choice would undoubtedly be Whole Foods. You simply cannot beat the convenience of their free delivery service with Prime Now! This is especially invaluable on days when my schedule is packed and I urgently need specific ingredients for recipe testing. Their prompt deliveries often arrive on my doorstep before I’ve even finished my morning coffee, and that efficiency brings me incredible joy.
4. Do you have plans to release a cookbook? If not, why? Currently, I do not have a cookbook! Personally, I feel that I haven’t yet reached the point where I am fully ready to embark on writing a cookbook. It’s an enormous responsibility, and when I eventually create one, I want it to be absolutely everything – a true reflection of my culinary philosophy. I want to ensure that every single recipe I share within its pages is not only easy to follow and consistently delicious but also genuinely foolproof. Perhaps in another year or so, as Little Spice Jar continues to grow and evolve, I will revisit this exciting idea!
5. Is blogging your full-time job now? I am incredibly blessed and profoundly grateful to confirm that it is! What started as a creative outlet has blossomed into my full-time career. I proudly wear many hats: I am a full-time recipe developer, meticulously crafting and refining new culinary creations; I am a dedicated food photographer, striving to capture the beauty of each dish; and I am an enthusiastic social media manager, connecting with our wonderful community across various platforms. It’s a dream come true to immerse myself in the world of food every single day.

A Final Word of Gratitude!

As always, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for faithfully reading the blog, for engaging with my content, and most importantly, for taking the time to make the recipes that I lovingly share. Your continued support, your comments, and your enthusiasm mean the world to me. I honestly love what I do, and it is truly because of each and every one of you that I am able to continue pursuing this passion. This journey wouldn’t be possible without our incredible community <3

And now, for the exciting part we’ve all been eagerly anticipating!

The Little Spice Jar Turns 5 Anniversary Giveaway!

In magnificent honor of Little Spice Jar’s 5th birthday, we are thrilled to announce that we are giving away a grand total of $500 in gift cards! This exciting giveaway will run all week long, offering multiple chances to win. The absolute best part about this contest is that you have not just 1, but 5 fantastic opportunities to win! And the choice is entirely yours – YOU get to select which retailer’s gift card you’d prefer. So, start envisioning all your favorite items and make sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a fantastic prize! You can choose between popular retailers such as Amazon, Williams Sonoma, Nordstrom, or Crate & Barrel!

Here’s how to enter this incredible anniversary giveaway:

1. Follow the official @littlespicejar account on Instagram.
2. “Like” the specific giveaway posts published between November 26th and November 30th.
3. Tag at least 3 of your foodie friends in the comments section of the giveaway posts (please ensure no duplicate tags across entries).

Please note: One entry is permitted per Instagram post. This means you have a grand total of 5 chances to win across the week!

Important Details About the Giveaway:

From November 26th to November 30th, 2018, we will be giving away a $100 gift card each day. The contest officially closes at 11:59 PM CST on November 30th, 2018. Winners will be chosen completely at random from all eligible entries. Be sure to enter each day to maximize your chances! Winners will be announced publicly on Instagram on December 2nd, 2018.

Giveaway Terms & Conditions:

• There will be a total of 5 winners selected, with one winner chosen per day of the contest.
• Tagged friends cannot be repeated in entries across the 5-day giveaway period.
• Winners must respond to our notification by noon CST on December 4th, 2018, to claim their prize.
• This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram or any of the retailers mentioned above. By entering, entrants confirm they are at least 18 years of age, release Instagram of any responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use. The contest is open exclusively to residents of the US & Canada only (Quebec residents are excluded. Canadian winners will be restricted only to an Amazon gift card worth $100 CAD equivalent).